Custom Residential
Going Down Under: Basement Remodels Done Right
Basement remodels are one of the easiest ways to get extra square footage in your house. That's no revelation and we've all seen numerous basement remodels, but unfortunately what we've probably also seen are a lot of really bad basement remodels. Here's how to plan for a great one that's worth the investment.
June 1, 2011
Basement remodels are one of the easiest ways to get extra square footage in your house. That's no revelation, and we've all seen numerous basement remodels. Unfortunately, what we've probably also seen, are a lot of really bad basement remodels. Let me say that one again for emphasis: really, really, really, really, bad basement remodels. Wow, they hurt.
They often occur in smaller bungalow homes, with an existing layout on the first floor, with two bedrooms and one bath. For resale, people often build a bathroom and a bedroom in the basement. Unfortunately, they'll often spend too little and you end up crawling through a mechanical room to get to a miserable "bedroom" that would only guarantee nightmares if you actually slept there.
My advice: don't do it. Stop, plan, and be realistic as far as what you can do.
My previous home had a truly great basement that was easily the biggest "pleasant surprise" in the house. While not perfect, it did a great job of doubling the living space in the house, and feeling very well integrated.
If you're pondering a basement remodel, below are a few common things to address.
Ceilings and Ceiling Height
One of the biggest concerns in a basement, is ceiling height. If you have less than 7' clear (accounting for drywall at the ceiling and new flooring), then you may want to carefully consider your remodel. Less than that, and your space can feel claustrophobic and potentially not worth the money. If you have more than 7', you're probably good, but be aware of the limitations.
Ducts and Pipes Above
This one is the biggest issue in a basement. Do not just wrap everything you see in drywall. You'll end up in a jungle gym, and having to duck under ridiculous ceiling protrusions. Spend the time and money to carefully re-think your layouts, and actually re-work the plumbing and HVAC if you can. Get it up high or move it out of the way. A good architect can help you. I can't emphasize this point enough.
Ceiling Finish
I have one rule here: drywall is your base. Maybe something cooler, like wood, if the space works. But most importantly, NO DROPPED CEILING TILE! Ever. I swear, that there was a legion of contractors years ago who put fear into the population that if they ever had a leak, that how on Earth would they ever access the pipes? Consequently, really smart people ended up putting ceilings better suited for a suburban office park into their finished basement. Now, here's my question: how do you access a leaky pipe under your second floor? You cut the drywall, right? Guess what? In a basement, you can do the same thing. There's no magic force field down in the basement preventing that.
Stairs
Carefully think about where your current stairs are, and if you need wider, and less steep, stairs. If you're adding a lot of living space and want it accessible, how about eliminating the door to the basement, and creating an open feeling. Getting rid of that door goes a long way to making the new lower level feel like part of the house.
Light / Windows
Get as much light, and as many windows, in there as possible. Window wells aren't something to be afraid of: they're lifesavers (literally and figuratively). Add as many windows as possible, and try to get the window sills down low as possible. If you're limited on natural light, then go ahead and ramp up the artificial light as much as possible.
In this photo from my old family room, you can see how much a window goes a long way towards making the space feel welcome. This would have worked better if the window could have been lower and the sill aligned with the top of the wainscot.
Finishes
Basements are often seen as slightly lower-quality living spaces, although they don't need to be. Go ahead and spend more money per square foot than you would otherwise. A higher quality environment will go a long way to helping make the lower level feel more comfortable. And don't forget nice trim.
Rooms
Basements are great for family rooms, home offices, bedrooms, wet bars, laundry rooms, extra bathrooms, and hobby rooms. Space-planning is key. It is important to not just take everything you see in the current space as a given. Existing walls, for instance, can be taken down! I'm always amazed when people go to great lengths to leave a wall that has been there for 50 years and build an awkward space around it. For no reason! A good architect can help you understand what is structural and shouldn't be touched without greater scrutiny, and what can go. Whatever you do, be careful to open the space up to as much light between the rooms as possible.
The home office in this photo is open to the family room, which helps the entire space feel more open and inviting.
Color
Basements are a great chance to liven up your space. You are going to have rooms that are slightly subpar from the rooms on your other floors. Go ahead then, and make them distinctive and memorable. Go ahead and pick some bold color schemes, or even just some contrasting colors for the art.
This photo of a basement bedroom shows how much even beige wall tones can be helped by a slightly darker accent wall and some blue, contrasting wall photos.
Overall, the important thing to remember about basements is: DON'T PHONE IT IN. Basements may seem like easy square footage, but they take some time and effort to plan properly and to make sure that the space you're adding is well integrated, beautiful, and a true addition to your house, not a detriment.
